Multi-component aerosol-generating device with impact absorbing part

ABSTRACT

An aerosol-generating system includes a main body, a cartridge, and a connecting component. The main body includes a main body housing enclosing a power supply. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing enclosing a reservoir of liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge is releasably connectable to the main body by the connecting component. The connecting component is fixed to the main body housing and is less stiff in at least one direction than the main body housing. The connecting component that is less stiff the main body housing and the cartridge housing can act as a shock absorber when the aerosol-generating system experiences a significant impact, such as when dropped on a surface. This reduces damage to other components of the system and, in particular, may prevent leaks of liquid resulting from damage to the liquid reservoir.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to,international application no. PCT/EP2018/080576, filed on Nov. 8, 2018,and further claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to European PatentApplication No. EP17206282.0, filed Dec. 8, 2017, the entire contents ofeach of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

Example embodiments relate to handheld aerosol-generating systems. Atleast one example embodiment relates to modular aerosol-generatingsystems having at least two connectable parts.

Description of Related Art

A handheld aerosol-generating system may be an electrically heatedaerosol-generating system, such as an. An electrically heatedaerosol-generating system heats an aerosol-forming substrate to generatean aerosol. In some example embodiments, where the aerosol-formingsubstrate is a liquid, the liquid is held in a replaceable cartridgethat can be attached and removed from a main body of the system. Themain body of the system may contain containing the a power source. Theheater used to vaporize the liquid is included in the replaceablecartridge. The cartridge is sometimes referred to as a cartomizer, whichincludes a cartridge and an atomiser.

During vaping, handheld aerosol-generating systems will be dropped. Whendropped, the system may experience significant impact forces that candamage the system and may lead to leakage of liquid aerosol-formingsubstrate.

SUMMARY

At least one example embodiment relates to an aerosol-generating system.

In at least one example embodiment, aerosol-generating system comprisesa main body, a cartridge, and a connecting component. The main bodyincludes a main body housing enclosing a power supply. The cartridgeincludes a cartridge housing enclosing a reservoir configured to containa liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The connecting component includes anopen-ended cavity configured to receive at least a portion of thecartridge. The cartridge is releasably connectable to the main body bythe connecting component. The connecting component is fixed to the mainbody housing and is less stiff in at least one direction than the mainbody housing and the cartridge housing. The connecting componentincludes at least one resilient sealing member forming a liquid sealwith the main body housing.

In at least one example embodiment, the connecting component includes aprojection on a resilient arm. The projection is configured to engage arecess on the cartridge housing to retain the cartridge relative to themain body.

In at least one example embodiment, the portion of the cartridge isconfigured to be pushed into the open-ended cavity to engage theprojection with the recess.

In at least one example embodiment, the connecting component includes aconnecting component body formed from a polymer that is less stiff thana material of the main body housing.

In at least one example embodiment, the connecting component isgenerally cylindrical.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one resilient sealingmember includes an elastomeric sealing rib.

In at least one example embodiment, the elastomeric sealing rib extendsaround an outer circumference of the connecting component.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one resilient sealingmember includes a pair of sealing ribs extending around an outercircumference of the connecting component.

In at least one example embodiment, the main body and the cartridgeextend in a first direction along a common axis. The connectingcomponent includes a sidewall extending in the first direction, and thepair of sealing ribs are spaced apart from one another in the firstdirection.

In at least one example embodiment, the aerosol-generating systemincludes an elastomeric sealing rib on a base of the connectingcomponent.

In at least one example embodiment, the connecting component is formedfrom a resilient material.

In at least one example embodiment, the main body and the cartridgeextend in a first direction along a common axis. The connectingcomponent includes a sidewall extending in the first direction. Thesidewall includes a plurality of apertures, and the plurality ofapertures are separated from each other by partitions extendingobliquely to the first direction.

In at least one example embodiment, the partitions are mechanicalsprings.

In at least one example embodiment, the connecting component is lessstiff than the main body housing in a first direction and less stiffthan the cartridge housing in the first direction.

In at least one example embodiment, at least one of the cartridge andthe main body include spring loaded electrical contacts configured toengage electrical contacts on the other of the main body and thecartridge. At least one spring in the spring loaded electrical contactsis less stiff in a first direction than the connecting component.

In at least one example embodiment, the reservoir of liquidaerosol-forming substrate contains nicotine.

In at least one example embodiment, the connecting component includes atleast one airflow channel configured to direct airflow through theaerosol-generating system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol-generating system inaccordance with at least one example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an aerosol-generating system in accordancewith at least one example embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a first cross-sectional view through a cartridge end of anaerosol-generating system in accordance with at least one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 3B is a second cross-sectional view through a cartridge end of anaerosol-generating system in accordance with at least one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connecting component of FIG. 2according to at least one example embodiment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the connecting component ofFIG. 4 according to at least one example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a section of a connecting component in accordance with atleast one example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyprovided for purposes of describing example embodiments. Exampleembodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forthherein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of variousmodifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof areshown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described indetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent tolimit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to thecontrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives thereof. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout the description of the figures.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” “attached to,” “adjacent to,”or “covering” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connectedto, coupled to, attached to, adjacent to or covering the other elementor layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directlyconnected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, thereare no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer tolike elements throughout the specification. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations or sub-combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Theseterms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a firstelement, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could betermed a second element, component, region, layer, or section withoutdeparting from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing variousexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, etc., but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, etc., and/or groupsthereof.

When the words “about” and “substantially” are used in thisspecification in connection with a numerical value, it is intended thatthe associated numerical value include a tolerance of ±10% around thestated numerical value, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference tocross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofexample embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of theillustrations are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should notbe construed as limited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein butare to include deviations in shapes.

Vapor, aerosol and dispersion are used interchangeably and are meant tocover the matter generated or outputted by the devices disclosed,claimed and/or equivalents thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, including those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

Hardware may be implemented using processing or control circuitry suchas, but not limited to, one or more processors, one or more CentralProcessing Units (CPUs), one or more microcontrollers, one or morearithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more digital signal processors(DSPs), one or more microcomputers, one or more field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), one or more System-on-Chips (SoCs), one or moreprogrammable logic units (PLUs), one or more microprocessors, one ormore Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or any otherdevice or devices capable of responding to and executing instructions ina defined manner.

At least one example embodiment relates to an aerosol-generating system.The aerosol-generating system comprises a main body. The main bodycomprises a main body housing enclosing a power supply and a cartridge.The cartridge comprises a cartridge housing enclosing a reservoir of aliquid aerosol-forming substrate and a connecting component. Thecartridge is releasably connectable to the main body by the connectingcomponent. The connecting component is fixed to the main body housingand is less stiff in at least one direction than the main body housingand may also be less stiff in at least one direction than the cartridgehousing.

A connecting component that is less stiff than the main body housing andthe cartridge housing can act as a shock absorber when theaerosol-generating system experiences a significant impact, such as whenthe aerosol-generating system is dropped on a surface. This reducesdamage to other components of the system and, in particular, may reduceand/or substantially prevent leaks of liquid resulting from damage tothe liquid reservoir. The connecting component being less stiff providesfor a more reliable system in a simple and inexpensive manner.

The connecting component may comprise a projection on a resilient arm.The projection may be configured to engage a recess on the cartridgehousing to retain the cartridge relative to the main body. Theconnecting component may comprise an open ended cavity configured toreceive at least a portion of the cartridge. The open ended cavity maybe a blind cavity. The open ended cavity may have an open end and aclosed end opposite the open end. A portion of the cartridge can bepushed into the cavity to engage the projection with the recess. Thisallows for simple push-fit connection between the cartridge and the mainbody. The projection may also be designed to provide for shockabsorption. The connecting component may comprise a plurality of spacedprojections, each on a resilient arm.

The connecting component may be formed from a polymer that is less stiffthan the material of the main body housing and the cartridge housing.Example polymers are Tritan™, Polyphenylene sulphide (PPS), andPolybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The connecting component is formedfrom a material that has some resilience, allowing it to deform and thenrecover its shape. The housing of the cartridge and the housing of themain body may be formed from aluminum.

The connecting component may comprise at least one resilient sealingmember configured to form a liquid seal with the main body housing. Theresilient sealing member may be a circumferential seal extending aroundan outer circumference of a body of the connecting component, hereinreferred to as the connecting component body. The resilient sealingmember may be a perimeter seal extending around an outer perimeter ofthe connecting component body. The resilient sealing element mayencircle the connecting component body. This provides protection forelectronic components in the main body from any liquid that has leakedor condensed within the cartridge. The resilient sealing member may takethe form of an elastomeric sealing rib. In at least one exampleembodiment, the sealing rib extends around an outer circumference of theconnecting component body. The sealing rib may extend radially beyondthe connecting component body. The sealing rib may extend radiallybeyond the connecting component body in all directions. This providesfor shock absorption against impacts in any direction.

The connecting component may be generally cylindrical. The main body andthe cartridge may extend in a first direction along a common axis. Theat least one resilient member may comprise a pair of sealing ribs,including an upper sealing rib and a lower sealing rib, which are spacedapart in the first direction. The connecting component may comprise asidewall extending in the first direction. The one or more resilientribs may be on an outer surface of the sidewall. The connectingcomponent may comprise at least one aperture in the sidewall to reducestiffness of the connecting component in the first direction. Theaperture may be positioned between the upper and lower sealing ribs.

The connecting component may be less stiff than the main body housing inthe first direction and the cartridge housing in the first direction.The at least one resilient sealing member may comprise a base sealingrib formed on a base of the connecting component. The base sealing ribmay extend from the connecting component in the first direction.

In an example embodiment, the sidewall comprises a plurality ofapertures. The plurality of apertures are separated from each other bypartitions. The partitions may extend obliquely to the first directionso as to readily deform under a load in the first direction. Thepartitions may be mechanical springs, such a leaf springs, and return totheir original shape when not loaded. One of the cartridge and main bodymay comprise spring loaded electrical contacts configured to engageelectrical contacts on the other of the main body and the cartridge.Springs in the spring loaded electrical contacts may be less stiff inthe first direction than the connecting component. The connectingcomponent may comprise one or more airflow channels configured to directairflow through the system.

In at least one example embodiment, an aerosol-generating system maycomprise a main body. The main body may include a main body housingenclosing a power supply. The aerosol-generating system may furthercomprise a cartridge. The cartridge may comprise a cartridge housingenclosing a reservoir of liquid aerosol-forming substrate and aconnecting component. The cartridge may be releasably connectable to themain body by the connecting component. The connecting component may befixed to the main body housing. The connecting component may comprise aprojection on a resilient arm. The projection may be configured toengage a recess on the cartridge housing to retain the cartridgerelative to the main body. The resilient arm may flex as a result ofrelative movement between the main body and cartridge in a firstdirection.

The resilient arm may provide a shock absorption when the system isdropped or subjected to high loads in the first direction. The resilientarm may extend in the first direction and the projection may extend fromthe resilient arm in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. Theconnecting component may comprise a plurality of spaced projections,each on a resilient arm.

In at least one example embodiment, the cartridge or main body, or both,may comprise an aerosol-generating element. The aerosol-generatingelement may be a vibrating diaphragm or mesh. In some exampleembodiments, the aerosol-generating element is a heater. In at least oneexample embodiment, the heater is located in the cartridge. The heatermay be an electrical heater. The electrical heater may operate using theJoule effect by passing a current through a resistive heating element.Alternatively, the heater may be an induction heater, operating byinducing a current in a susceptor element that heats the aerosol-formingsubstrate.

Liquid may be delivered from the reservoir to the aerosol-generatingelement. Alternatively, the aerosol-generating element may generateaerosol from liquid within the reservoir. The heater may be fluidpermeable to allow liquid or vapor to pass through it. Vapor, aerosoland dispersion are used interchangeably and are meant to cover thematter generated or outputted by the devices disclosed, claimed and/orequivalents thereof. For example, the heater may be a resistively heatedmesh. Alternatively, the heater may be a coil of wire wound around orwithin a capillary wick. The capillary wick may deliver liquid from theliquid reservoir. The heater may be positioned within the cartridge atan end of the cartridge adjacent the connecting component in use.

The aerosol-generating system may be a handheld aerosol-generatingsystem including a mouthpiece having a mouth end opening. The size ofthe aerosol-generating system may be comparable to a cigar or acigarette. The aerosol-generating system may have a total length rangingfrom about 30 mm to about 150 mm. The aerosol-generating system may havean external diameter ranging from about 5 mm to about 30 mm.

In some example embodiments, the main body may comprise controlcircuitry configured to control a supply of power from the power supplyto the aerosol-generating element. The control circuitry may comprise amicrocontroller. The microcontroller may be a programmablemicrocontroller. The control circuitry may comprise further electroniccomponents. The control circuitry may be configured to regulate a supplyof power to the aerosol-generating element. Power may be supplied to theaerosol-generating element continuously following activation of thesystem or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puffbasis. The power may be supplied to the aerosol-generating element inthe form of pulses of electrical current.

The main body may comprise a power supply arranged to supply power to atleast one of the control system and the aerosol-generating element. Theaerosol-generating element may comprise an independent power supply. Themain body may comprise a first power supply arranged to supply power tothe control circuitry and a second power supply configured to supplypower to the aerosol-generating element. The power supply may be a DCpower supply. The power supply may be a battery. The battery may be aLithium-based battery. For example the battery may be a Lithium-Cobalt,a Lithium-Iron-Phosphate, a Lithium Titanate, or a Lithium-Polymerbattery. The battery may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery or a Nickelcadmium battery. The power supply may be another form of a chargestorage device, such as a capacitor. The power supply may be rechargedand be configured for many cycles of charging and discharging. The powersupply may have a capacity to allow for the continuous generation ofaerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period that is amultiple of six minutes. In another example embodiment, the power supplymay have sufficient capacity to allow for a desired (or, alternativelypredetermined) number of puffs or discrete activations of the atomiserassembly.

As used herein, an aerosol-forming substrate is a substrate configuredto release volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Volatilecompounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate.Volatile compounds may be released by moving the aerosol-formingsubstrate through passages of a vibratable element.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be liquid at room temperature. Theaerosol-forming substrate may comprise both liquid and solid components.The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The nicotinecontaining liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be a nicotine saltmatrix. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant-basedmaterial. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco. Theliquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containingmaterial containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds, which arereleased from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. The liquidaerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised tobacco material. Theliquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco-containingmaterial. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenisedplant-based material.

The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or moreaerosol-formers. An aerosol-former is any suitable known compound ormixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of a dense andstable aerosol and that is substantially resistant to thermaldegradation at the temperature of operation of the system. Examples ofaerosol formers include glycerine and propylene glycol. Aerosol-formersinclude, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such astriethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerine; esters of polyhydricalcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphaticesters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyldodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. The liquidaerosol-forming substrate may comprise water, solvents, ethanol, plantextracts, and natural or artificial flavors.

The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine and at leastone aerosol former. The aerosol former may be glycerine or propyleneglycol. The aerosol former may comprise both glycerine and propyleneglycol. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may have a nicotineconcentration ranging from about 0.5% to about 10%, for example about2%.

The cartridge housing may be formed form a moldable plastics material,such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Thehousing may form a part or all of a wall of the reservoir. The housingand reservoir may be integrally formed. In some example embodiments, thereservoir may be formed separately from the housing and assembled to thehousing. The cartridge may comprise a removable mouthpiece through whichaerosol may be drawn. The removable mouthpiece may cover the mouth endopening. In some example embodiments, the cartridge may be configured toallow aerosol to be drawn directly from the mouth end opening. Thecartridge may be refillable with liquid aerosol-forming substrate. In atleast one example embodiment, the cartridge may be designed to bedisposed of when the storage compartment becomes empty of liquidaerosol-forming substrate.

Features described in relation to one example embodiment may be appliedto the other example embodiments.

At least one example embodiment relates to a handheld aerosol-generatingsystem.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a handheldaerosol-generating system 10 is a two-part system comprising a main bodyincluding a main body housing 12 and a cartridge. The cartridgecomprises a cartridge housing 14. A connection end of the cartridgehousing is removably connected to a corresponding connecting componentat the end of the main body housing. The aerosol-generating system 10 isportable and has a size comparable to a cigar or a cigarette.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the aerosol-generating system of FIG. 1.The main body housing 12 contains a battery 16, which, in some exampleembodiments, is a rechargeable lithium ion battery, and controlcircuitry 18. Spring loaded electrical contacts 19 are connected to thebattery 16 and control circuitry 18 and are configured to engageelectrical contacts in the cartridge to deliver electrical power to aheater within the cartridge, as described with reference to FIG. 3A. Themain body housing 12 includes an end cap 13. At a connection end of themain body housing 12, a connecting component 20 is received in the mainbody housing 12. The connecting component 20 includes a pair of latches22 that engage the cartridge when assembled. The connecting component 20is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, and 6.

The cartridge housing 14 includes a mouthpiece portion and connectingportion that is received in the connecting component 20 of the mainbody. The connecting portion includes a pair of recesses 15 that engagethe latches 22 in the connecting portion of the main body. The cartridgehousing 14 encloses a reservoir of liquid aerosol-generating substrateand a heater configured to heat the substrate to generate an aerosolthat can be drawn through the mouthpiece.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are orthogonal cut-away views of the cartridge engagedwith the main body, showing the internal components of the cartridge.The cartridge comprises the cartridge housing 14 containing a heater 32assembly and a liquid storage compartment 30 having a first portion 31and a second portion 33. A liquid aerosol-forming substrate is held inthe liquid storage compartment 30. The first portion 31 of the liquidstorage compartment is connected to the second portion 33 of the liquidstorage compartment so that liquid in the first portion 31 can pass tothe second portion 33. The heater 32 receives liquid from the secondportion 33 of the liquid storage compartment 30. The heater 32 is agenerally planar, fluid permeable mesh heater. Liquid aerosol-formingsubstrate delivered to a rear face of the mesh heater is heated andvaporized by the heater 32. The vapor passes through the mesh into anairflow channel 34 that extends from an air inlet 38 passed a front faceof the mesh heater to an air outlet 39 at the mouthpiece end of thecartridge.

The components of the cartridge are arranged so that the first portion31 of the liquid storage compartment 30 is between the heater 32 and theair outlet 39, and the second portion 33 of the liquid storagecompartment 30 is positioned on an opposite side of the heater 32 to theair outlet 39.

As shown in FIG. 3B, each of the latches 22 comprises a protrusion 24 onthe end of a resilient arm 23. When the cartridge is properly connectedto the main body, the protrusions 24 are received in recesses 15 in thecartridge housing 14. There are two latches 22, positioned diametricallyopposite one another.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the spring loaded electrical contacts 19 in themain body contact a rear side of the heater 32 to deliver a currentthrough the heater 32 when the cartridge is connected to the main body.FIG. 3A also depicts that the air inlet 38, allowing air into thesystem, is provided between the cartridge housing 14 and the main bodyhousing 12. The air passes through the air inlet 38 and then through anaperture 29 of the connecting component 20, shown in FIG. 4. The air canthen be then drawn between an inner wall of the connecting component 20and an outer wall of the cartridge housing 14 until it reaches an airpassage in the cartridge that extends passed the heater 32 and then tothe air outlet 39. The air flow is indicated by arrows in FIG. 3A.

An aperture 28 in the wall of the connecting component 20 allows forfluid communication between the airflow and a pressure sensor in thecontrol circuitry. The aperture 28 allows air to pass between theconnecting component 20 and the main body housing 12 from where it canaccess a pressure sensor held within the main housing. The connectingcomponent 20 is secured to the electronic assembly within the main bodyhousing by a screw 40.

The system is configured so that aerosol may be drawn from the airoutlet 39 at the mouth end of the cartridge. In operation, when air isdrawn through the mouth end opening, air is drawn through the airflowpassage from the air inlet 38, passed the heater 32, to the air outlet39. The control circuitry 18 controls the supply of electrical powerfrom the battery 16 to the heater 32 when the system is activated. Thiscontrols the amount and properties of the vapor produced by the heater32. The control circuitry 18 may include an airflow sensor, and thecontrol circuitry 18 may supply electrical power to the heater 32 whenthe airflow sensor detects an airflow. When the airflow is detected, theheater 32 is activated and generates a vapor that is entrained in theairflow passing through the airflow channel 34. The vapor cools withinthe airflow passage 34 to form an aerosol, which is then drawn throughthe air outlet 39.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connecting component 20 in at leastone example embodiment. FIGS. 5A and 5B are two different crosssectional views of the connecting component 20. The connecting component20 has a generally cylindrical body and defines an open ended interiorcavity for receiving a portion of the cartridge. The latches 22,comprising inwardly projecting protrusions 24, are clearly visible. Theprotrusions 24 are positioned on resilient arms 23 extending parallel toa longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating system. When the cartridgeis inserted into the connecting component 20, the cartridge housingpushes against the protrusions 24, causing the resilient arms 23 to flexradially to allow the cartridge housing to pass. When the cartridge isfully inserted into the connecting component, the protrusions 24 alignwith recesses 15 in the cartridge housing allowing the resilient arms 23to return to their original position, with the protrusions 24 receivedin the recesses 15. In this position, the engagement of protrusions 24with the recesses 15 retains the cartridge in position relative to themain body.

The connecting component 20 also comprises sealing ribs including alower rib 26 and an upper rib 27. These sealing ribs 26, 27 engage themain body housing and provide a liquid seal. The sealing ribs 26, 27protect the electronic assembly from any liquid that has leaked from thereservoir or has condensed within the system. The upper rib 27 primarilyacts to ensure air enters the cartridge housing through the desired airinlet and not through another path. The lower sealing rib 26 primarilyprovides a seal to protect the electronics from any liquid.

FIG. 5B shows internal ribs 52 formed on the interior wall of theconnecting component 20 on either side of the aperture 29. The internalribs 52 engage the cartridge housing and ensure that air passing throughthe aperture 29 is drawn down to the airflow channel within thecartridge. The internal ribs 52 also guide the cartridge to ensure thatthe cartridge is in the correct orientation relative to the main bodyhousing. The connecting component 20 has an additional function ofsecuring the cartridge to the main body and maintaining an electricalconnection between them. The connecting component 20 also provides ashock absorbing function that protects other components of the systemfrom damage.

To be an effective shock absorber, the connecting component 20 is madeless stiff than the surrounding components. In particular, theconnecting component 20 is less stiff in an axial direction than themain body housing 12 and the cartridge housing 14. The connectingcomponent 20 is made from a relatively compliant, injection moldablepolymer. For example, the connecting component may be formed fromTritan™, Polyphenylene sulphide (PPS), or Polybutylene terephthalate(PBT). The material is also resilient enough to allow the connectingcomponent 20 to effectively function to absorb multiple shocks byelastic deformation. In contrast, the main body housing 12 may berelatively stiff, being made from aluminum. The cartridge housing 14,for example, may be made from Tritan.

The spring loaded electrical contacts 19 in the main body comprisesprings that may be more compliant than the connecting component 20.This provides some further impact protection to the electronic circuitryto which the spring loaded contacts are connected.

In addition to selecting suitable material or materials for theconnecting component 20, the mechanical shape of the connectingcomponent 20 may also enhance its ability to absorb shocks. In at leastone example embodiment, the latches 22 provide some impact absorptionwhen the cartridge is moved axially toward the main body, through theelastic deformation of the resilient arms 23, as the protrusions 24 areforced radially outward. The dimensions of the resilient arms 23 and theprofile of the protrusions 24 may be chosen to provide greater or lessershock absorption.

The sealing ribs 26, 27, such as those on the base of the connectingcomponent 20, also provide for shock absorption. The sealing ribs 26, 27may be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer that is relativelycompliant compared to the main body of the connecting component 20.Apertures may also be formed in the sidewall of the connecting component20 to reduce the stiffness of the connecting component 20 in the axialdirection. The aperture 28, for example, reduces the overall stiffnessof the connecting component 20 in the axial direction. A larger numberof apertures may be provided around the side wall of the connectingcomponent 20 to further reduce stiffness. The apertures may be providedbetween two axially spaced circumferential sealing ribs to ensure thedesired leak protection is attained.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of a section of a connectingcomponent 60 with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 61separated by partitions 62. The partitions 62 extend oblique to theaxial direction and can behave like leaf springs. When the connectingcomponent 60 is subjected to an axial load, the partitions 62 flexaxially to absorb the load and return to their original form after theload has been removed. A portion of the wall of the connecting component60 constructed in this manner provides for excellent shock absorption.

The partitions 62 may be shaped in a different way, for example, toinclude an elbow in each partition that axially constrains relativemovement between the portions of the connecting component 60 on eitherside of the partitions 62. In some example embodiments, any kind ofmechanical spring may be used as a portion of the sidewall of theconnecting component 60, such as a helical spring or spring washerhaving with a radius matching the radius of the connecting component 60and forming an intermediate portion of the sidewall of the connectingcomponent 60. The provision of a connecting component for connecting acartridge with a main body of the aerosol-generating device, where theconnecting component has a shock absorbing function, provides a morereliable and robust aerosol generating device in a simple andinexpensive manner.

We claim:
 1. An aerosol-generating system comprising: a main bodyincluding, a main body housing enclosing a power supply; a cartridgeincluding, a cartridge housing enclosing a reservoir of liquidaerosol-forming substrate; and a connecting component including, asidewall defining open-ended cavity configured to receive at least aportion of the cartridge, the cartridge being releasably connectable tothe main body by the connecting component, and at least one resilientmember configured to form a liquid seal with the main body housing, theconnecting component fixed to the main body housing, the connectingcomponent being less stiff in at least one direction than the main bodyhousing and the cartridge housing; wherein the main body and thecartridge extend in a first direction along a common axis, wherein theconnecting component includes the sidewall extending in the firstdirection and a plurality of apertures in the sidewall, and wherein theplurality of apertures are separated from each other by partitionsextending obliquely to the first direction.
 2. The aerosol-generatingsystem according to claim 1, wherein the connecting component furtherincludes a projection on a resilient arm, the projection configured toengage a recess on the cartridge housing to retain the cartridgerelative to the main body.
 3. The aerosol-generating system according toclaim 2, wherein the portion of the cartridge is configured to be pushedinto the open-ended cavity so as to engage the projection with therecess.
 4. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, whereinthe connecting component includes a connecting component body formedfrom a polymer that is less stiff than a material of the main bodyhousing.
 5. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, whereinthe connecting component is generally cylindrical.
 6. Theaerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneresilient member includes an elastomeric sealing rib.
 7. Theaerosol-generating system according to claim 6, wherein the elastomericsealing rib extends around an outer circumference of the connectingcomponent.
 8. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 1,wherein the at least one resilient member includes a pair of sealingribs extending around an outer circumference of the connectingcomponent.
 9. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 8,wherein the main body and the cartridge extend in a first directionalong a common axis, wherein the connecting component includes thesidewall extending in the first direction, and wherein the pair ofsealing ribs are spaced apart from one another in the first direction.10. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, furthercomprising an elastomeric sealing rib on a base of the connectingcomponent.
 11. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 1,wherein the connecting component is formed from a resilient material.12. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein thepartitions are mechanical springs.
 13. The aerosol-generating systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the connecting component is less stiffthan the main body housing in a first direction and less stiff than thecartridge housing in the first direction.
 14. The aerosol-generatingsystem according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge, the main body, orboth the cartridge and the main body include spring loaded electricalcontacts configured to engage electrical contacts on the other of themain body and the cartridge, and wherein at least one spring in thespring loaded electrical contacts is less stiff in a first directionthan the connecting component.
 15. The aerosol-generating systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the reservoir of liquid aerosol-formingsubstrate contains nicotine.
 16. The aerosol-generating system accordingto claim 1, wherein the connecting component includes at least oneairflow channel configured to direct airflow through theaerosol-generating system.